Living on a budget and having certain sensory, health, or really any kind of needs is quite frustrating. 

It takes a lot of effort and creativity to find tools to help with the challenges that life hands us.

Many of the items in our home are secondhand either from Craigslist, thrift stores, trade, or given to us from the kindness of  friends.

I would like to share some of my favorite finds that I have come by with a just a positive attitude, a little bit of money, and help from others.

All the items below GREATLY help me get through my day without meltdowns, and are priceless to me.

ITEM: dry erase boards (some of them have a magnetic surface)
COST TO ME: range from $1 - $7 each*
COST BRAND NEW: range $8 - $50 each
ITEM USE: visual communication, tracking anything, scheduling, making lists, organizing, drawing, brainstorming
TIMES I USE IT: everyday, in every room of my home
HOW I OBTAINED THIS ITEM: various thrift stores

*my motto with dry erase boards: "If you see a cheap dry erase board, and have a few dollars to spare, buy it. If you don't have a use for it, give it to someone who could use it."

ITEM: Able Planet Noise-canceling headphones
COST TO ME: $30
COST BRAND NEW: $150
ITEM USE: blocks out certain tones and background noise so that sounds do not trigger me as much, and allows me to process more relevant information
TIMES I USE IT: around the house when others are actively making noise, on public transit
HOW I OBTAINED THIS ITEM: Craigslist

ITEM: IKEA Virrig balancing cushion
COST TO ME: $15
COST BRAND NEW: $40ish
ITEM USE: toy that helps with balance
TIMES I USE IT: when I am feeling overwhelmed, and to make talking to others at home more successful 
HOW I OBTAINED THIS ITEM: thrift store

ITEM: LoveSac 
COST TO US: $0
COST BRAND NEW: $600
ITEM USE: furniture (like a giant beanbag, but filled with foam)
TIMES I USE IT: when I need to curl up and feel "safe" or simply for and incredibly cozy place to sit/lay
HOW I OBTAINED THIS ITEM: two very kind friends of ours gave this to us because it is a really big piece of furniture to fit into many living spaces

ITEM: IKEA POÄNG chair
COST TO ME:$10
COST BRAND NEW: $69
ITEM USE: for sitting - great for rocking and bouncing!
TIMES I USE IT: to stim, when I am escalated, having trouble processing my environment
HOW I OBTAINED THIS ITEM: Craigslist

How to make a New Years memory jar:

STEP1 : Find a jar to use for this purpose

STEP2 : When something good happens in your life, write it down and put that piece of paper in the jar

STEP 3 : On New Years of next year, take out all the pieces of paper with good memories on them, read them, and be reminded that no matter how many difficulties you have experienced, good things have happened.

And share those great memories with others, if you feel comfortable with doing so.

STEP 4 : After the jar is empty, use it again for the next year.

With the new year comes many resolutions. Goals that many people make to better their lives by the next coming year; to see accomplishments. I don't see the point of purposefully setting goals that start at the beginning of the year and finish at the end of the year. 

I set many goals for myself, both big and small. And I tackle them as I can handle them. Some goals take days, some months, some take decades.

I can be fairly rigid about certain. . . many things, but I make a point to give myself more flexible deadlines because of that. Otherwise it is too much pressure, and creates more rigidity (which I don't need or want). Being autistic sometimes means being REALLY flexible about deadlines (which is hard because I LOVE to set deadlines.) Sometimes a day -or more- can be overcome by a meltdown, too many changes, too much to process. . . or just too much everything. 


So, to bring in the new year with something special, that isn't resolutions, I created a New Years memory jar. A jar in which I write down the good things that happen for me over this year, roll them up, put them in the jar, and read them all next New Years. 

I like this idea much better than New Year resolutions. It's positive and successful, instead of disappointing and frustrating. This way I am writing down my achievements as they happen, instead of thinking about the things I was "supposed to accomplish."

 
So, in short, I will keep my regular goals I have set, set new goals as they come along, and accomplish each within the time my life allows me to. And during this time I will document all the wonderful leaps, bounds, and events that make me feel happy, warm, loved, and successful in life (instead of ending the year looking at what I didn't do, and thinking of what I could have done differently, and pushing myself way too hard).

I encourage everyone to try making a New Years memory jar. It's a wonderful, positive way to look back on a past year. There are many examples of different New Years memory jars online here.